Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom, a biological male, announced that he was declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft in an apparent protest intended to challenge the league’s eligibility language.
Freedom argued that the WNBA’s publicly cited rules do not contain detailed “transgender-athlete” criteria. However, no evidence shows that the WNBA accepted his declaration, that the league treats self-identification alone as sufficient, or that he is formally eligible for the draft.
In a video posted to his X account on Friday, the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said:
“After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I’m officially declaring myself a @WNBA prospect. If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA. My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027. I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions.”
WNBA Eligibility Rules and Lack of Definition
The WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article XIII, Section 1(a), states that “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
The document provides no definition of “women,” no reference to “gender identity,” no hormone thresholds, no requirements involving “sex-altering procedures,” and no separate “transgender” policy.
Age and eligibility rules for the draft require domestic players to be at least 22 years old in the draft year (or meet graduation criteria) and international players at least 20. Freedom, born May 20, 1992, meets the age threshold.
No biological male has ever played in the WNBA.
The only player publicly identified as “transgender” or “non-binary” while active, Layshia Clarendon, was born female.
Recent Statements from WNBA Figures
The declaration follows public comments from WNBA coaches and players on inclusion. Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams said that she “would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team anytime. I don’t think it’s a problem in the world.”
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve stated the need to “protect trans kids” and that “every kid has a right to sports regardless of (being) gender diverse, transgender,” adding that “the answer isn’t no” regarding inclusion beyond puberty in elite sports.
These remarks came as discussions sparked by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s comments opposing biological males in women’s sports.
“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” Cunningham told ESPN.
Historical Context in Professional Women’s Basketball
No biological male has competed in the WNBA since its founding in 1997. Earlier women’s professional leagues, such as the Women’s Professional Basketball League (1978-1981), also operated as female-only competitions with no recorded instances of biological males on rosters.
In other sports, biological males “identifying” as women have competed at elite levels, including NCAA swimming (Lia Thomas in 2022) and various high school and international events, leading to policy changes.
The NCAA updated its policy in February 2025 to limit women’s competition to athletes assigned female at birth, following an executive order from President Donald Trump.
Legal Framework
The WNBA’s CBA language has not been tested in court regarding self-identification.
Broader legal developments include U.S. Supreme Court rulings upholding state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that prohibit biological males from female sports categories.
Federal interpretations of Title IX under the Trump administration emphasize biological sex.
No formal appeal process has been initiated regarding Freedom’s declaration, as the 2027 draft is months away and the league has not issued a public response to the announcement as of time of publication.
Any future denial of eligibility could face legal challenges based on equal application of stated inclusion principles, though no such case exists yet. Women’s Sports Policy Working Group materials rate the WNBA’s written rule as restricting competition to women without gender-identity exceptions.
Provided by Dallas Express
